Overland Park to honor economic development leaders

The Overland Park Chamber Economic Development Council on Thursday will honor eight companies and a longtime community leader. The seventh annual EDC lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Regnier Center at Johnson County Community College.

The Business Hall of Fame honor — recognizing a business committed to economic development and improving the quality of life — will go to Oak Park Mall.

The Community Development Award — for significant investment or reinvestment in the community — goes to four companies: Overland Park Hy-Vee #1; Lorax Design Group; R.H. Johnson Co./Valley View Shopping Center; and Teva Pharmaceuticals.

The Ben Craig Vision Award will be presented to Jim Hix, who founded a personnel agency that he ran for 30 years. He’s a former Overland Park city councilman and past chairman of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.

Shawnee Mission cancer center leader

Medical oncologist Prasanth Reddy has been named by Shawnee Mission Medical Center to jointly lead its new cancer center. He joins radiation oncologist Michael Hughes in managing the center, which began seeing patients in January.

The Merriam-based hospital will hold an official opening ceremony for the cancer center in April. The facility offers a full range of oncology services.

Carstar milestone

Carstar, the Leawood-based vehicle collision repair company, on Monday delivered its 4 millionth car to a customer at its location at 7235 W. 162nd St. in Stilwell. The owner, a single mother, received her repairs free to honor the milestone, the company said. Carstar was founded in 1989, and is among the largest operators of collision repair facilities in the industry.